23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
The opposite of functioning in the old man is to live in the new man (vv. 23-24).
23 and
The word “and” transitions from the old to the new man. The “and” separates the negative actions of the old man and the positive actions of the new man.
be renewed
The Greek word “renewed” implies inward renewal from an old state. This is the only place where the Greek word for “renewed” occurs in the New Testament. Renewal is the result of putting off the old man; it is a result of our salvation.
“Renewed” is in the present tense in contrast to the “put off” and “put on” clauses. Renewing continues after we become Christians. The present tense in the Greek indicates that renewal is a process.
Renewal is also a work of God (passive voice); it is not something we do but is an ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit. God effects the renewing. Believers are to allow God to renew them. He will not renew us without the Spirit of God using the Word of God in our lives.
Ro 12: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
in the spirit of your mind [human spirit],
Renewal is not in our mind per se but in the “spirit” of it. This is the higher life-principle by which we think God’s thoughts after Him. Renewal is not a psychological change or a change of opinion. It is a change in the spirit of the mind where its orientation is Godward. This spirit will radically alter the sphere of how we think.
PRINCIPLE:
God calls us to inward renewal through our orientation to God.
APPLICATION:
The spirit of our mind is the sphere where we are “renewed.” This is the spirit “of” our mind, not the spirit “in” our mind. The spirit of the mind is not superficial opinion but that which gives it its bent and content of thought. This is a new capacity for thought and spirituality.
The “spirit of your mind” is the controlling center of our person and our capacity to relate to God. The Holy Spirit performs the action upon our spirit. He affects the major steering function of our person.
